Asbestos Cancer Research

Asbestos cancer is a cancer in which the tumor occurs due to constant exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a kind of silicate mineral which is well known for maintaining constant temperature. This mineral is widely used in walls and ceiling of our house. It is also used commercially in various products such as clutches, electronic appliances, pipes, taps, floor tiles and electric insulation wires. This cancer is mostly observed in people in the age group of 30 to 45 years. People prone to this cancer include construction workers, laborers, plumbers and electricians. If any of your family member is exposed to asbestos than even you can be prone to this disease. Asbestos cancer research aims at providing you the information about latest researches conducted in the causes, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. This tumor generally starts in lungs but there are possibilities of the tumor occurring in the abdomen and other organs too.

Asbestos cancer is also known as Mesothelioma. An asbestos cancer research conducted by Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America shows that more than 30,000 people are diagnosed with this tumor every year. This tumor is seen more in men than women. This cancer is very closely associated with lung cancer as the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of these tumors is the same.

Symptoms of asbestos cancer:

Headache

Vomiting

Nausea

Constant pain in lower abdomen

Constant fever

Breathing problems

Digestion problems

Weakness in immune system

Asbestos cancer research:

The best way to prevent asbestos cancer is to avoid exposure to asbestos particles. If it is unavoidable then there are various products with the help of which risk of exposure to these particles can be reduced. These products include life jackets, asbestos suits, welding fire blankets etc. All these products help you to defend this tumor.

Previously, there were a few techniques to diagnose this tumor. These techniques included biopsy, MRI, CT scans, blood tests, X-rays and PET. These techniques were found to be insufficient in diagnosing the type of tumor and to predict its wide spread. Later on, new techniques such as fine needle aspiration test, excisional biopsy, mediastinoscopy and therorscopy were introduced. After examining the tumor through these tests, the doctor gets a perfect idea of the tumor and can also predict the wide spread accurately. These techniques reduce the time taken for diagnosing and so the treatment can be started at early stages.

Whenever a new research is conducted for asbestos cancer, it has to be approved by the FDA. FDA is a body which governs all the researches. This body evaluates and enhances the safety of the drugs included in these products. They also examine and ensure the efficacy, quality of the medications, whether it has any side effects on the body and other safety concerns.

New research in the treatment sector includes a drug called Onconase. This is the first drug ever invented which kills the malignant cells, restricts their wide spread, destroys the tumor and leaves the normal cells unharmed. There are no side effects of this drug. Various clinical trials are being conducted to endure the quality of this drug and it is yet to be approved from the FDA.

Research is also being conducted to examine the development of the tumor and the methods which can ensure comfort. It has also being concluded that palliative therapy and radiation therapy do not determine the survival from this tumor.

FDA recommends photodynamic therapy as the best option for diagnosing this tumor at early stages. With the help of this therapy, various pictures are developed which give a perfect idea of the tumor and so the treatment can be started at early stages.

Fine Needle Aspiration was a part of asbestos cancer research and was included in the diagnosis by FDA in 1996. This therapy involves the use of fine needle through which a fluid is removed from the chest, abdomen or any other location of the tumor. This fluid is later examined to detect the location of the tumor and its spread to other parts. This test gives an accurate diagnosis of the tumor and reduces the time taken for the diagnosis.

Statistics on asbestos cancer is usually carried by leading cancer research organizations and health departments of government. Various other researches are being conducted in the treatment sector of asbestos cancer. As this cancer occurs rarely and is mostly seen in poor people, treating this tumor at low cost has been the biggest challenge for the researchers worldwide.

While conducting clinical trials for asbestos cancer research, the decision is left to the patient regarding participation in such trials. New research techniques take time to come into market as it takes time for the doctors to examine the side effects caused by such techniques. At the moment, latest asbestos cancer research includes introduction of a technique called fine needle aspiration which has already being implemented and introduction of the drug called Onconase.